Long Putters To Go Belly Up With New Golf Rule

Phil Mickelson attempts a putt with a belly putter on the 13th hole green during the second round of the Deutsche Bank Championship at TPC Boston on September 3, 2011 in Norton, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)Phil Mickelson attempts a putt with a belly putter on the 13th hole green during the second round of the Deutsche Bank Championship at TPC Boston on September 3, 2011 in Norton, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (AP) — Golf is proposing to ban the putting stroke used by three of the last five major champions.

The sport’s ruling bodies announced a new rule Wednesday that would make it illegal to anchor the club in making a stroke. The proposed rule is aimed at belly putters and long putters that are pressed against the body. Keegan Bradley was the first player to win a major with the belly putter at the 2011 PGA Championship. Webb Simpson and Ernie Els used belly putters to win majors this year.

Officials say the golf stroke should be a free swing, and anchoring a club eliminates part of the skill.

The rule would apply to golfers at every level. It would not take effect until 2016.